Legendary actor Gene Hackman, known for his unforgettable performances in The French Connection and Unforgiven, passed away at the age of 95 in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home. His death came just a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but often fatal disease linked to rodent exposure. Authorities have now provided new insights into the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Betsy Arakawa’s Death from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Betsy Arakawa was last seen alive on February 11, 2025, as she carried out her usual daily activities, including visits to a pharmacy, a pet store, and a grocery store. Later that day, she returned home, where officials believe she likely contracted hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness caused by exposure to rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.
According to the New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator, Dr. Heather Jarrell, Arakawa exhibited symptoms consistent with the virus, including fever, muscle aches, and respiratory distress. Given the rapid progression of the disease, officials estimate that she died within days of exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was alerted about her case, though no significant uptick in hantavirus infections has been reported in the region.
Gene Hackman’s Health Struggles and Cause of Death
Gene Hackman, who had been in declining health due to advanced Alzheimer’s disease, was found deceased in his home’s mudroom on February 26. Autopsy reports confirmed that he died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. His pacemaker last recorded activity on February 18, leading investigators to conclude he had been deceased for at least a week before being discovered.
Dr. Jarrell noted that due to his severe cognitive impairment, Hackman may not have realized that his wife had died, potentially remaining in the house with her body for days. The medical examiner also confirmed that Hackman tested negative for hantavirus, ruling out infection as a cause of death.
Discovery of the Bodies and Disturbing Living Conditions
The tragic discovery was made on February 26, when a maintenance worker, concerned by accumulating mail and unanswered calls, entered the couple’s home. Hackman was found collapsed near his cane and sunglasses, while Arakawa’s body was discovered in a bathroom, next to an open prescription pill bottle. Authorities found no evidence of foul play, and initial concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning were dismissed after testing.
Disturbingly, the couple’s dog, Zinna, was also found dead in a crate within a bathroom closet, while two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, were found alive but distressed. Investigators suspect that Zinna may have succumbed to starvation, given the timeline of events.
A Life of Privacy and the Final Days of Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were known for their fiercely private lifestyle. After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman lived a quiet life in Santa Fe with Arakawa, whom he married in 1991. The couple had few close friends and rarely maintained frequent contact with family, which contributed to the delay in discovering their passing.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed that neither Hackman nor Arakawa appeared to use technology regularly, making it difficult to trace their final interactions. Investigators are still reviewing their cell phones and emails to piece together more details about their last days.
Hackman’s daughter, Leslie Anne Allen, 58, said she and her father “were close,” but admitted she had not spoken to him in months. His other two children, whom he shared with his first wife, Faye Maltese, have yet to publicly comment on his passing.
Hollywood and Fans Mourn the Loss of an Icon
Gene Hackman’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. A two-time Academy Award winner and one of the most respected actors of his generation, Hackman’s career spanned five decades, with iconic roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Mississippi Burning.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry, with fellow actors, directors, and fans mourning the loss of a cinematic legend. As investigations continue into the rare hantavirus that claimed the life of his wife, Hackman’s passing serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life, even for those who once seemed larger than it.
